At the age of 52, after visiting his doctor for shortness of breath and a persistent cough, Steven Pelley was diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a rare and fatal type of lung cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos, and is even more rare among people as young as Mr. Pelley. While some people diagnosed with mesothelioma can’t identify where they might have been exposed to asbestos, Mr. Pelley knew: it was during his time working for Peerless Pumps and Floway in Fresno, California.
Exposed at Work
Mr. Pelley’s work for Peerless Pumps and Floway required him to maintain equipment, including the regular removal and installation of John Crane asbestos gaskets and packing from pumps and valves. These products contained as much as 80% asbestos and the use of them released clouds of asbestos dust into the air. Microscopic asbestos fibers are easily breathed in, where they can remain latent for decades before causing mesothelioma.
Lawsuit Filed
Soon after Steven Pelley’s diagnosis, he contacted SEG Law for information about his rights as a victim of asbestos exposure. Mr. Pelley wanted John Crane, Inc. to be held accountable for their actions and worked with us to file his lawsuit: Steven Pelley v. Afton Pumps, Inc., et al, In the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles, No. BC 358812.
After numerous attempts by the defendants to delay his trial, the jury heard Mr. Pelley’s story and the evidence against John Crane. On December 11, 2007, the jury found that the Defendant had acted with negligence and with malice. The jury returned a verdict against John Crane in the amount of $12,393,244.48 (including $1,500,000.00 in punitive damages) and assessed John Crane with 25% fault.
“John Crane is a notorious defendant in asbestos litigation because they have a ‘no-settle-regardless-of-merits’ policy,” said Chris Panatier, lead trial counsel for Mr. Pelley. “This jury saw through their lawyer-made defenses and assigned them responsibility accordingly. This verdict was the only means of holding John Crane accountable for its actions.”
John Crane, Inc. Acted with Malice, Oppression or Fraud
During the time that Mr. Pelley was working with John Crane, Inc. products, he never saw any labels warning of the dangerous presence of asbestos. However, because of the widespread knowledge among asbestos product manufacturers at that time that asbestos causes fatal illness, John Crane, Inc. knew its asbestos products were defective and dangerous.
A Family Reunited
Steven Pelley faced many challenges in his life, including a divorce from his first wife and years of separation from his children. Several of the choices he made in his life might be looked down on by some, but shortly before his diagnosis in 2006, he reconciled with his children and was looking forward to decades of time to enjoy with them and his grandchildren.
In an attempt to distract the jury from their negligence, John Crane, Inc. launched an attack on Mr. Pelley’s character. The jury, however, connected with Mr. Pelley and his family, were touched by the attempts he had made to make things right in his life, and saw through the defense tactics of the Defendant.
Courage in the Face of Suffering
We applaud Steven Pelley’s strength and dedication in holding John Crane, Inc. responsible for their dangerous and defective asbestos products, despite the physical and emotional pain and suffering he was experiencing from mesothelioma. His courage to fight for what is right will always be remembered.